Abstract : The compilation and analysis of extracts and reviews is based on Soviet-Satellite-Western open sources published 1963-1966. This report is Part I of a two-part report. Describing various aspects of the Soviet space program, it attempts to reveal the status and trends of Soviet research and development relating to the orbiting, maneuvering, deorbiting, reentry, and recovery of aerospace vehicles utilizing aerodynamic lifting and ballistic reentry techniques. After the Introduction which reviews information contained in the report, there are three sections: I. Voskhod-type descent systems; II. Materials on lunar- and planetary-probe descent systems; III. Spacecraft maneuvering systems. In Section I there are five parts: A. General discussion of reentry and landing systems; B. Excerpts from articles on reentry, braking, and landing systems; C. Materials on Voskhod-type soft-landing systems; D. Materials on Voskhod-type ion velocity-vector plotters; E. Materials on cosmonaut-recovery procedures. Section II has two parts: A. General discussion of shock-absorbing and landing systems; B. Materials on the Luna-type probe's power units and soft-landing systems. Section III has three parts: A. Materials on Polet-type maneuvering systems; B. Soviet activity in the development of electrical-engine-type maneuvering systems; C. General-discussion materials on electrical space-engine development. Section III includes materials on maneuvering systems based on liquid-propellant engines and systems using electrical engines similar to those first tested on Zond 2. (Author)